The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 eBook

Tvashtri had many sons. Amongst them were the
handsome and famous Viswarupa, Ajaikapat, Ahi, Bradhna,
Virupaksha, and Raivata. Then there were Hara
and Vahurupa, Tryamvaka the chief of the Deities,
and Savitrya, Jayanta and Pinaki the invincible.
The highly-blessed Vasus, eight in number, have formerly
been enumerated by me. These were reckoned as
gods at the time of the Prajapati Manu. These
were at first called the gods and the Pitris.
Amongst the Siddhas and the Sadhyas there were two
classes in consequence of conduct and youth. The
deities were formerly considered to be of two classes,
viz., the Ribhus and the Maruts. Thus have
the Viswas, the gods and the Aswins, been enumerated.
Amongst them, the Adityas are Kshatriyas, and the Maruts
are Vaisyas. The two Aswins, engaged in severe
penances, have been said to be Sudras. The deities
sprung from Angirasa’s line have been said to
be Brahmanas. This is certain. Thus have
I told thee about the fourfold order among the gods.
The person who, after rising from his bed at morn,
recites the names of these deities, becomes cleansed
of all his sins whether committed by himself intentionally
or Unintentionally, or whether born of his intercourse
with others. Yavakriti, Raivya, Arvavasu, Paravasu,
Ausija, Kashivat, and Vala have been said to be the
sons of Angiras. These, and Kanwa son of Rishi
Medhatithi, and Varhishada, and the well-known seven
Rishis who are the progenitors of the three worlds,
all reside in the East. Unmucha, Vimucha, Svastyatreya
of great energy, Pramucha, Idhmavaha, and the divine
Dridhavrata, and Mitravaruna’s son Agastya of
great energy, these regenerate Rishis all reside in
the south. Upangu, Karusha, Dhaumya, Parivyadha
of great energy, and those great Rishis called Ekata,
Dwita, and Trita, and Atri’s son, viz.,
the illustrious and puissant Saraswata, these high-souled
ones reside in the west. Atreya, and Vasishtha,
and the great Rishi Kasyapa, and Gautama, Bharadwaja,
and Viswamitra, the son of Kusika, and the illustrious
son of the high-souled Richika, viz., Jamadagni,—­these
seven live in the north. Thus have I told thee
about the great Rishis of fiery energy that live in
the different points of the compass. Those high-souled
ones are the witnesses of the universe, and are the
creators of all the worlds. Even thus do they
dwell in their respective quarters. By reciting
their names one is cleansed of all one’s sins.
A person by repairing to those points becomes cleansed
of all his sins and succeeds in returning home in
safety’”

SECTION CCIX

“Yudhishthira said, ’O grandsire, O thou
of great wisdom and invincible prowess in battle,
I wish to hear in detail of Krishna who is immutable
and omnipotent. O bull among men, tell me truly
everything about his great energy and the great feats
achieved by him in days of old. Why did that
puissant one assume the form of an animal, and for
achieving what particular act? Tell me all this,
O mighty warrior!’